Colten Care, a prominent care home provider, has trained 32 of its staff members as mental health first aiders in a bid to support employee wellbeing and foster a healthy work-life balance.
The initiative, which took place across two of Colten Care’s dementia care homes—Linden House in Lymington and The Aldbury in Poole—forms part of the organization’s broader strategy to promote mental health awareness within its workforce.
Barney Baxendale, the company’s Wellbeing Strategy Lead and Mental Health First Aider, expressed the positive response from staff. “Staff were invited to volunteer for the role of Mental Health First Aider, and the response was fantastic,” Baxendale stated. “These individuals have now received personal certificates for their training and are equipped to provide a supportive ear, offer guidance, and refer colleagues to appropriate resources if needed.”
The training sessions were led by Christo Hudson, an external consultant from The Black Box Approach, a mental health training specialist. Hudson emphasized the importance of equipping staff with the skills to identify when a colleague may be struggling and to offer immediate, effective support. “The uptake has been strong, and we are seeing meaningful conversations unfold around mental health,” said Hudson. “This shift is crucial in normalizing mental health support within the workplace.”
Colten Care’s commitment to staff wellbeing reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to create a supportive and empathetic environment for its workforce, ensuring they are equipped to navigate both personal and professional challenges.
For more information on Colten Care’s wellbeing initiatives, visit their official website.
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